THESIS SUBJECT THE THEOLOGICAL AND RELIGIOUS TEACHING-S OF WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING- This Thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Edinburgh University by A. David Williams, A.B., B.Th., S.T.M., Oneida, New York. Submitted May 1st., 1937 DEDICATED to my wife for her encouragement and inspiration. PREFACE 1Jhe object of this thesis is to examine the teachings of William Ellery Charming. Channing's work in the cause of religion was not confined to the speculative for he was active in humanitarian reforms. Thus, after an examination of his theo­ logical principles, we shall consider the practical application of his religious convictions in his teachings pertaining to war and peace, temperance, the elevation of the poor,and slavery. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the Auburn Theological Seminary for the award of the Maxwell travelling fellowship which made possible my study at Edinburgh. I wish also to mention my good fortune in having had the supervision and inspiration of that noble mind and Christian spirit, the late Dr. Hugh R. Mackintosh. I gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of the American Unitarian Society in its loan of books and valuable pamphlets. I sincerely appreciate the courtesies extended me while doing research work at the Association. In preparing this thesis I received valuable 111 assistance from the following libraries; Edinburgh University, New College, The Boston Athenaeum, The Boston Historical Society, Harvard University, Syracuse University, Hamilton College, Union Theological Seminary, Auburn Theological Seminary, and the Meadville (Unitarian) Theological Seminary. IV THE THEOLOGICAL AND RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS OF WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING INTRODUCTION I Scope of thesis. II Resume of life. CHAPTER 1 His Early Environment and Training. I His birthplace. A. The unchangeableness of Newport. B. Memorials to Channing. II His ancestry. A. The Ellerys. B. The Channings. C. The character of William's Parents, III Early childhood influences. A. In school. B. At home. C. Religious influences. IV Evidences of character. V His college years. A. His associates. B. His studies. C. His decision for the ministry. VI His Virginia experience. A. Roots of a broadened attitude on humanitarian issues. B. Development of his literary powers, C. Growth of his mystic nature. D. Growth of his theological views. a. Decision for the ministry strengthened. E. Permanent injury to his health. V VII His Divinity studies. A. At Newport. a. The influence of Samuel Hopkins. 1. His doctrine of disinterested "benevolence. B. At Harvard a. Personal methods of analytical study. b. Influenced by the study of Shakespeare, Hutcheson, Ferguson, Price, Kant, Schelling, Flchte and the Stoics. c. His study of Calvinistic doctrines. 1. Edwardeanism. VIII Begins ministry. A. Licensed to preach. B» Ordained and installed as Pastor of Federal Street Church. IX His early years in the pastorate. A. His self-discipline. B. Sense of duty. C. Forming of his principle of growth. D» Practice of generosity. E. Promise and power as a preacher. F. His work with the poor. Or. His conception of the ministry. H* His marriage. X The second phase of his ministry. A. Developing of a liberal theology. a. The Baltimore Sermon. B. Receives Doctorate. C. Rejects call to New York. D. His year abroad. E» Given an associate. F. His widespread reputation as a preacher. Gr. In support of Unitarianlsm a. "Unitarian Christianity." b. The Dudleian Lectures. c. "Unitarian Christianity most Favorable to Piety." H. Essays. a. Milton, b. Bonaparte. c. Fenelon. I Offered presidency of the American Unitarian Society. VI XI The third period of his ministry. A* Application of his religious views. B. At Santa Cruz. a. Ant1slavery sentiment again strengthened. C. Efforts in behalf of antislavery. a. Pamphlet on slavery, b. His Lenox Address* Xll His death at Bennington, Vermont. A. Service at Federal Street Church. B. Interment at Mount Auburn Cemetery. C. Charming Statue at Boston. Vll CHAPTER 11 Charming as a Theologian Introduction I The religious situation in New England at the close of the 18th. century. A. Revolt against orthodoxy. II The Unitarians. A. Their embodiment of the liberal attitude. III The influence of Channing. A. His leadership reluctant, but a natural outgrowth of his views. IV Approach to Channing 1 s theological teachings. CHAPTER 111 Channing r s View of the Scriptures. I The Scriptures divinely authoritative. A. Contain full instruction. 3. Based on the divine faithfulness. C. Sufficient, if rightly understood. D. Records of progressive revelations. II The reason required for their right understanding. and interpretation. A. Thus interpreted, the teachings of the Bible, may be found consistent with themselves and with nature. a. Not self-contradictory. 3. Reason not depraved or untrustworthy, a. Cannot contradict a genuine revelation, b. Care should be exercised in its use, III The rational interpretation of the Scriptures teaches the distinguishing doctrines of Unitarians. A. Basic Scripture texts. CHAPTER IV Channing's Views of God Vlll I G-od is a unity. There is one G-od, .and one only. A. Spoken of in the singular number. B. His unity traced in nature. C. The spirituality of God preserved by Unitarian!sm. II God a mind. A. Existence of God a conclusion of reason. a. How reached by reason, b. Recognizable by man's reason. c. His attributes known by those in man. B. G-od's nature intelligible. a. Our duty to gain brighter conceptions. 1. A measure of moral elevation. 2. Concept of G-od developed by moral progress III A supreme and perfect Being. A. His essence is moral perfection and rectitude. a. His communication of himself, b. perfections discernible by human powers. c. perfections known and written on our souls. d. perfection of His character, maintained by Unitarian!sm, and degraded by Trinitarian!am. e. His purpose to perfect the human soul. f. His temple, man, not nature § IV A Universal Father. A. leaning of his Fatherhood. a. Father to each individual, b. Parental authority* 1. Duties to. B. His at? 11'ibut e s a. Creator. 1. His purposo unfulfilled by a mechanical Universe* "h. Benefactor 1. Cur dependence on 2. Foundation of cur L 3. Love of, essential to happiness. IX 1. LIors.1 effects of his intimate nearness, d. Omniscience. 1. Inspector of the soul. e. His providence. 1. Kingdom on earth. 2. Peculiar Interest in virtue, f. His goodness. 1. Cur hope. £. His love. 1. Personal interest in us. 2. The sinners only hope. h. His mercy. 1. Essential propensity to forgiveness. 1. His justice. CHAPTER V Charming 1 s View of Christ I The unity of Jesus Christ. A. Jesus is a being distinct from God. a. Inferior to God. 1. Zxalted at the expense of the Father. l>. If God, He could not suffer humiliation. 1. His suffering not infinite c. His supreme glory is his accord with the divine will. 1. Hifc prayers to God. 2. The meekest worshipper of God. 3. His filial devotion to God. d . His character more important than his rank. 1. Second only bo God. II The divinity of Jesus Christ. A. The Incarnation of a. Father's love. P. Toral worth of Christ more important than literal interpretations of Sonship. a. United with"God by consent and accordance of !'ind. III The humanity of Christ. A. Truly a human being. B. Capable of our understanding, imitation and conrorehension. a. Brother and friend, example. 1. His human companions. IV The character of Jesus Christ. A. Example of Christian Virtue. a. His character was evidence of his religion. 1. Image of moral perfection. B. Revealed the character and nature of God* a. Godlike virtues. 1. Benevolence, forgiveness, love, etc. V. The works and purpose of Jesus Christ. A. .7 The miracles in unison with his character. a. Reasonable events 1. Types of spiritual things. 2. Not his chief claim to veneration. 3. Attest a divine mission. B. His mediation. a. Blood not shed in vain, b. power of the cross. 1. Tells worth of the spiritual. c. Tasted death for every man. d. The resurrection. 1. Teaches immortality. 2. Foundation for hope of immortality. 3f Links life with eternity. C. His purpose. a. To effect a moral and spiritual deliverance of men from sin. 1. Regeneration and redemption, a. Work within, b. Convinc ed of the greatness of the soul, c. Christ the great emancipator. 1. Frees the intellect. 2. Emancipator of conscience. 3. Sets free our hope. 4. Sets at liberty our.love. 5. Gives spiritual liberty, d. Christ the reformer. 1. Came to save the human rac e. XI 2. His love to man as man. e. Christ, the first philanthropist, 1. Came to end war. 2. Liberate the slaves. CHAPTER VI Channing's views of Man I The spiritual nature of man. A. The greatest of created beings. a. Not to be the slave of creation. B. The individual of greatest worth and respect. C. Worthy of infinite love. II Man is a free being. A. Not to be held as property. B. Not morally impotent. C. Has self-forming powers. a. Culture, improvement and power of soul. D. Wronged by his Maker If Trinitarianfism be true. E. Liberty, each man's right. a. Gift of Christ. F» Essential to all excellence. a. Perilous without Christian principle, III The duty of Man. A. To God. B. To others. C« To himself. D. A sense of duty, G-od 1 s great gift. a. Sign of divine descent. b. Equalizes men. IV The purpose of man. A. Perfection of his nature, mind, character, a. Man as a moral agent. 1. Freedom the spring of virtue. 2.